David, who co-created the sitcom Seinfeld, said people disregarding the stay-at-home order could make elderly relatives ill.

David issued a PSA for the state of California

He said: “You’re hurting old people like me – well, not me. I have nothing to do with you. I’ll never see you. But, you know, other – let’s say, other old people who might be your relatives! Who the hell knows.”

David also warned people were missing a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to “stay in the house, sit on the couch and watch TV”. “I don’t know how you’re passing that up,” he added.

Referencing his show Curb Your Enthusiasm, which frequently relies on awkward social encounters for humour, David said: “You know if you’ve seen my show nothing good ever happens going out of the house, you know that.

“It’s just trouble. It’s not a good place to be. Stay home and, you know, don’t see anyone.”

The US is braced for a steep increase in coronavirus deaths.

President Donald Trump warned Americans to prepare for a “hell of a bad two weeks” and the White House projects between 100,000 to 240,000 casualties, even if social distancing guidelines are maintained.